Book Description

The collaboration between the international agricultural research centers and the national agricultural research system of Bangladesh has been very important to the growth of agricultural research and agricultural productivity in Bangladesh. The collaboration started in 1966 with the beginning of the International Rice Research Institute's (IRRI) relationship with the Agricultural Research Institute and has involved a number of activities. These activities have involved researching crops and posting center researchers in Bangladesh to work with local researchers on local problems, regular visits by center staff, training programs at the centers or run by the centers, joint programs of germplasm testing and publications. The outcome of this collaboration has been more food production and probably improved income distribution. Modern varieties of rice and wheat have increased the demand for labor, which benefits the landless laborers who are the poorest group in Bangladesh. Increased food production has reduced the real price of foodgrains, which primarily benefits poorer consumers both in the cities and the countryside.